On January 9, 2023, comedic duo Ganbarella, consisting of Mahiru and Yoshiko, attended the opening event of the ‘Japan's Greatest Hoshiimo Gathering’ festival at Yuurakucho Square, Tokyo. This festival is held over three days, celebrating ‘Hoshiimo Day’ on January 10, with Ibaraki prefecture showcasing around 100 varieties of dried sweet potatoes—a delicacy known locally as ‘hoshiimo.’
The event saw Ganbarella entertaining the crowd with witty introductions, with Yoshiko humorously introducing herself as ‘Koyuki’ and Mahiru as ‘Mitsuki Takahata.’ Clad in vibrant outfits themed around sweet potatoes, Mahiru wore yellow and purple, and Yoshiko added accents of yellow to her attire, continuing the humorous vibe of the event.
Highlighting their fondness for hoshiimo, the duo spoke of how they often substitute it for snacks during diet periods. ‘We often have to watch our diets for work,’ Mahiru joked. ‘But during diets, if I get peckish, I’ll substitute snacks with hoshiimo; it even serves as breakfast sometimes!’
At the festival, they tasted five varieties of hoshiimo available at the stalls and picked their favorites. Yoshiko chose ‘Beni Haruka Flat Dry’ for its surprising sweetness, exclaiming, ‘I’ve tasted many hoshiimo before, but I was amazed by how sweet this is!’ Meanwhile, Mahiru selected ‘Halloween Sweet,’ stating it was shockingly new to her palate.
When asked about their New Year’s resolutions, Yoshiko revealed, ‘After receiving my health check-up, I found I had fatty liver, so I really want to get rid of it. Health should be my priority, so I plan to focus on it.’ Mahiru chimed in, sharing her mission to showcase the wonderful hoshiimo from Tottori prefecture more broadly: ‘I want more people to know how delicious these hoshiimo are!’
This event, which runs from January 9 to 11, showcases around 100 varieties of hoshiimo, demonstrating Ibaraki’s pride, which has approximately 90% of Japan's dried sweet potato market share. The celebration aligns with the special day dedicated to hoshiimo, aimed at both honoring and promoting this beloved regional treat.
The significance of ‘Hoshiimo Day’ was highlighted during the event when Yoshiko quipped about the origins of the day’s name. ‘Originally, the first person to cut the sweet potato and say, “Let’s dry it,” did so on January 10!’
Mahiru added, ‘The number “10” and the first kanji for “from” combine, pointing to harvesting the sweet potatoes. It ties to them being perfect to eat at this time of year!’ Their playful banter delivered not just laughs but also fun facts about sweet potatoes, drawing more attention to Ibaraki’s unique contribution to Japan's snacking culture.
The festival is part of broader efforts by the Ibaraki government and local stakeholders to boost the visibility and sales of hoshiimo. Many vendors shared how they hope the festival will spark interest not only among locals but also tourists seeking authentic Japanese delicacies.
Catch Ganbarella's hilarious takes and vibrant personalities as they celebrate 13 years of performing together, coinciding with their love for hoshiimo at this lively festival. Ganbarella’s blend of humor and cultural pride through this event exemplifies how local traditions can be celebrated joyfully and tastefully.
This engaging festival continues to remind both the residents of Japan and visitors of the delicious culinary treasures the country offers, particularly the sweet flavors of Ibaraki's dried sweet potatoes. Be sure to stop by before the festival concludes on January 11!